The assistant referee who told Joleon Lescott to thank Manchester City’s travelling fans after their 2-0 win at Arsenal has been dropped for tonight’s FA Cup third-round replay between West Brom and QPR.

John Brooks, a relatively new professional official, was struck off the match list by referees’ chiefs at Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) in a bid to remove him from the spotlight.

Although his axing is not intended to be seen as a punishment, it’s an indication that senior figures weren’t overly pleased that Brooks was caught on camera dishing out advice to City’s defender.

Brooks was broadcast on TV during the post-match handshakes saying to City stopper Lescott: ‘They’ve paid 62 quid over there, go and see them.’

Much of the talk prior to City’s clash at the Emirates centred around the decision from the visitors to return around 900 unsold tickets, which were priced at £62 each.